We are 51 days away from the college basketball season. While college basketball season is fast approaching, many of us cannot have the new season come soon enough. With that said, let’s take an early look at the ACC for next season. Here’s our 1 through 15.

Nick is a strong, aggressive player who competes on both ends of the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He is a lefty shooter and does a great job of running the PG spot.

N/A

Benhart, Jake

11

Jake is an all-around offensive player who can shoot the three in transition and set up his teammates for easy looks. He has a great feel for the game and has an extremely high basketball IQ. He is a crafty rebounder and isnÕt afraid to put his body on the line.

Blaufeld, Jackson

9

Jackson is a great shooter who has the ability to consistently hit from three. He has great court vision and anticipates plays before they happen. Jackson is a competitor who never takes a play off.

N/A

Bomar, Nicholas

10

Bonds, Walter

11

Walter is a hustler who never takes a possession off. He is able to create for his teammates and himself, especially when penetrating. Walter is an all-around scorer who can put the ball in the basket in a varity of ways.

Cohen, Carson

10

Carson has a smooth game which allows him to get to his spots on the court with ease. He has the ability to make set threes when he has time and space. Carson is very effective off the dribble and has a knockdown pull up jumper.

Collins, Ryan

10

Ryan is a smart basketball player who understands the concept of spacing. He moves well without the basketball and knows how to get himself open for good looks. He excels in transition where he does a great job of getting to the rim and finishing.

Conlan, Daniel

9

Daniel has a long, athletic body which he uses on the defensive end and on the glass. He plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor and has a high motor. His jump shot is the highlight of his offensive repertoire as he has the ability to knockdown open jumpers and threes.

Craft, Zayver

12

Zayver is extremely active on the glass and always looks to outlet quickly. He runs the court well and has the ability to block a shot on the defensive end and sprint the court for a layup on offense. Although he is at his best when driving, Zayver has the ability to hit knockdown jumpers from the elbows.

Davis, Darrius

8

Darius is a good athlete who really excels in transition. He plays hard on both ends of the court and never takes a play off. His best offensive attribute is his ability to attack the rim.

Day, Garrett

11

Garrett has a great feel for the game. He shoots it really well from deep and can play with or without the ball in his hands. He does a great job of creating spce and getting separation for open shots.

DeCaro, Lucas

9

Lucas is a high IQ basketball player who knows where to be on the court at all times. He plays with great pace and bounce, which allows him to blow by defenders consistently. He is a great teammate who is constantly communicating on defense.

N/A

Ellis, James

10

James is an extremely effective rebounder who attacks the glass on both ends of the court. He has a quick second bounce which allows him to grab rebounds that others can't. James is active on the defensive end and continually creates havoc in the passing lanes.

Elwell, Caden

9

Caden has a lot of talent and has the potential to become an all-around player. He competes hard and is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win. He is a crafty player who affects the game in many ways.

N/A

Eubank, Jason

Jason is an athletic player who uses that trait well on both ends of the court. Offensively, Jason finishes well at the rim and does a great job of absorbing contact. Defensively, Jason uses his athleticism to overpower his opponent and to attack the glass.

Francis, Brett

11

Brett is a hard working player who goes after every rebound and every loose ball. Offensively, he has a soft touch from fifteen feet and in. He does a great job of attacking the rim, especially when driving right.

Fuhrer IV, Frankie

10

Frankie is a heady PG who has a great feel for the game. He is a great facilitator and is always looking to set up his teammates in spots where they can succeed. He is creative with the ball and can finish with either hand around the rim.

Fuhrer, James

9

James possesses great court vision and always seems to find the open teammate. He has good ball handling skills which allow him to penetrate the defense and attack the paint. James competes on every possession and never takes a play off.

Garland, Camron

11

Camron posssses a good basketball body which he uses to his advantage on the defensive end. He uses his long arms to disrupt his opponent and to close out space quickly. Offensively, Camron has a tight handle which allows him to break down his defenders to create for himself and others.

N/A

Garofoli, Antonio

12

Antonio has great court vision and always seems to make the right play. He handles the ball in tough situations and is able to slither his way out of them. Antonio is a heady player who always plays under control.

Gartley, Blaine

8

Blaine is a great PG who sees the court extremely well. He has the ability to hit open threes when he has time and space. When he does penetrate the defense, Blaine remains under control and always seems to make the right play.

N/A

Gersec, Tim

12

Tim is a competitor who plays hard on both ends of the court. He is a ferocious on ball defender and constantly gives his opponent trouble. Tim is a great teammate who will do whatever it takes to help his team win.

Giles, Tyler

11

Tyler is a great facilitator who does a good job of finding the open teammate. He plays extremely hard and is the first one on the floor when going after a loose ball. He sets screens for his teammates and does whatever it takes to help his team win.

Goldbach, Brandon

9

Brandon is a floor general who is an exceptional passer. He is a leader who does a great job of creating energy for his teammates to feed off of. His ability to see the court is second to none.

Goodwin, Eugene

9

Eugene is an aggressive player who is at his best when attacking the rim. He has a complete offensive game as he can penetrate, hit pull up jumpers and knockdown three pointers. He is supremely athletic and quick which allows him to penetrate the paint with ease.

Groff, Etai

11

Etai excels in transition and does a great job of adjusting his pace to the pace of the game. He has a high basketball IQ and knows the difference between good and bad shots. Etai is creative around the rim and can finish with both hands.

Hannes, Austin

11

Austin is a quick, athletic, scoring guard who possesses a versatile offensive game. He is an unselfish player who is great at delivering entry passes into the post. Austin is a really good defender as he takes pride on that end of the court.

Herrera, Isaiah

12

Isaiah has a long basketball body and quick hands, which he uses to disrupt the passing lanes on defense. He is a great decision maker and always seems to make the right pass. Isaiah is active on the glass and does a great job of creating second chance opportunities for his team.

Holmes, Keeno

9

Keeno excels in transition where he can get to the rim with ease. He is an aggressive player who crashes the boards very well. He takes pride on the defensive end and is a ball hawking defender.

Ippolito, AJ

9

AJ is an extremely athletic player with a good basketball body, which he uses to blow by defenders off the bounce. He competes at a very high level and never takes a possession off. AJ takes pride on the defensive end and really gets after it.

Jessloski, Nick

11

Nick is a hard working player who has a ton of energy. Offensively, he couples a tight handle with a solid shooting stroke, which makes him highly effective on that end of the court. He plays unselfish basketball and is always looking to get others involved.

Jetter, Richard

11

Richard has phenomenal athleticism and length, which he uses to his advantage on both ends of the court. He is a terror on the defensive end of the court and does a great job of altering shots. His ability to easily dunk the ball with either hand is just one example of his superior athleticism.

Kelly, Ben

9

Ben is a solid combo guard who can shoot the ball from deep. His offensive game is second to none in that he can score in a variety of ways. Ben is a smart player who knows how to pick his spots.

N/A

Kennedy, Robert

10

Robert is a versatile offensive player who can score in a variety of ways. He does a great job of running the floor and finishing at the rim. For his size, he is really athletic and uses that to his advantage on both ends of the court.

Klimchock, Asa

9

Asa is a knockdown shooter with unlimited range. On offense, he sees the floor extremely well and knows how to pick his spots. He has a natural ability to pass the basketball and does a great job of setting up his teammates.

Kline, Josh

10

Josh is a long, athletic player who does a great job of attacking the glass on both ends of the court. Offensively, he is active around the rim and is able to finish with both hands. He plays hard and competes on every play.

Lamendola, Mark

11

Mark is a strong ball handling guard that can create for himself and others when he gets into the paint. He is a good spot up shooter but is even better when shooting off the dribble. Mark has a high basketball IQ and always makes the right play.

Lecky, Finn

10

Finn plays well under pressure and is able to handle the ball with a man draped all over him. He sees the court well and knows how to find the open teammate. Finn is a great leader who does a great job of managing the game.

Leopold, Nathan

10

Nathan is a knockdown shooter with a quick release when he has time and space. He is a savvy player with a high basketball IQ and always makes the right play. Nathan excels in transition where he distributes very well.

Lewis, Kenyon

10

Kenyon is a long, active defender who plays extremely hard. He competes on both ends of the court and never takes a possession off. Offensively, Kenyon has great rotation and touch on his jumpshots.

Lipke, Holden

10

Holden is a great all-around player with an exceptional offensive repertoire. He has soft touch on his shots and is a great shooter. He moves well without the ball and makes really good cuts for easy looks.

Livingston, Jake

11

Jake is a high motor forward who competes on both ends of the court. For a forward, Jake has a complete offensive game and can even hit the three consistently. He has great ball handling skills for his size which allows him get to his spots easily on the court.

N/A

Long, Alec

11

Loughran, Sean

9

Sean has a great feel for the game and is always looking to make the extra pass. He has a good looking shooting stroke and can get his shots off quickly. He competes on both ends of the court and never takes a play off.

Luptak, Amos

11

Amos is a strong ball handler who does a great job of setting up his teammates. He is crafty and tough which allows him to get to the rim and finish. He plays extremely hard and was one of the toughest players at the Top 100.

Lyons, Stanford

9

Stanford has a good basketball frame, which he uses to make plays on defense and to attack the boards. He has the ability to drive both right and left, which makes him difficult to defend. He is a high motor player who really brings it on the defensive end.

Mellon, Jake

11

Jake is a tough player who does a great job of penetrating the defense and attacking the rim. He is able to finish with either hand around the rim which makes him difficult to guard. He takes pride on the defensive end and anticipates very well.

Miller, Brice

10

Brice is a great shooter who has a lot of confidence in his shot. He has great rotation and form and an excellent shooting stroke. Brice is a hardworking player who understands how to get open by moving without the ball.

Miller, Mark

12

Mark is a versatile forward who has the ability to shoot from deep. His quick release makes him a weapon, especially when it comes to stretching the floor. He runs the floor well in transition and is a great second trail guy because of his shooting ability.

Miller, Naim

10

Naim is a very athletic wing who excels when attacking the rim. He has the ability to finish with either hand and through contact. He competes on every possession and is active on the defensive end.

Mullen, Alex

9

Alex is a really good shooter with deep range. He moves well without the ball and understands how to get himself open. He is a long, athletic player who uses those traits to his advantage on defense and on the glass.

Offi, Zachary

11

Zach has great form and rotation on his shots and he has the ability to get hot from deep. He is a high IQ player who has great knowledge of the game of basketball. His court vision is phenomenal and he knows where to move the ball with purpose.

Palmer, Michael

9

Michael is a great PG who knows how to run a team. He uses his tight handle to breakdown his defender which allows him to penetrate on a consistent basis. He plays with great pace and understands how tempo can affect the game.

N/A

Passodelis, Joe

11

Joe has long arms which he uses to disrupt passing lanes on the defensive end. He plays hard and competes on every play. He is a high energy player who always goes after loose balls.

Pisula, Tommy

11

Tommy possesses great ball handling skills, which he uses to his advantage in transition. He can really penetrate and does a great job of finishing around the rim. Tommy has a quick release which allows him to get his shots up with little time and space.

Plunkett, Connor

11

Connor is a high IQ player with a great drive and kick game. He knows when to take it himself and when to distribute to his teammates. His ability to stop on a dime allows him to create space for his pull up jumpers.

Price, Jalen

9

Jalen is a hardworking player who never takes a play off. He has a high basketball IQ and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He is active on defense and has a nose for the ball.

Recchia, Andrew

9

Andrew is a creative offensive player who can create for himself and for his teammates. He possesses a great floater, which allows him to finish over bigger defenders. Andrew has great vision and knows how to set up his teammates.

Revak, Josh

11

Josh has a great overall feel for the game of basketball. His ability to create for others is second to none. When he has time and space, Josh is a knockdown shooter from three point range.

Robinson, Tyrese

11

Tyrese is a long, atletic player who handles the ball very well on the perimeter. His best attribute is his ability to attack the rim and finish. His long arms make him a terror on the defensive end as he is constantly disrupting the passing lanes.

Rocco, Zach

8

Zach is a knockdown shooter with unlimited range. His ball skills and handle are highly developed for a player his age. He has extremely long arms, which he uses to create havoc in the passing lanes.

Rodriguez, Tommy

11

Tommy is a strong PG who makes great decisions when penetrating the defense. He knows when to take it himself and when to kick to the open teammate. His best offensive attribute is his ability to distribute the basketball to set up his teammates.

Ross, Desmond

10

Desmond is a great shooter especially from three point range. He is an unselfish player and is always looking to make the extra pass. He has quick feet on the defensive end and is able to keep his man in front of him.

Sadoski, Aidan

10

Aidan is an active stretch four with the ability to hit open threes. He is very varsatile, especially since he can handle the ball extremely well. He is also active on the glass and does a great job of starting the break for his team.

N/A

Snell, Josh

10

Josh is an active player who works hard on the defensive end. He knows how to guard and how to keep his man in front of him. Offensively, Josh is a knockdown shooter with deep range.

Stonecheck, Hunter

10

Hunter is a strong player who excels at finishing through contact. His toughness and hustle on both ends of the court sets him apart from other players. He has a high basketball IQ and knows when to kick it to the perimeter when he draws two defenders.

Sullivan, Kyle

11

Kyle is a terrific PG who sees the court well and creates opportunites for his teammates. He does a great job of using ball screens and always seems to make the right decision when using them. When he is left open, Kyle has the ability to drill the three.

Tarrant, Justin

10

Justin is a hard working player who competes on both ends of the court. He is a solid wing player who can consistently make open jumpers. Justin is a great teammate and will do whatever it takes to help his team win.

Taylor, Kass

11

Kass is an athletic, long player who uses those traits to his advantage on both ends of the court. He has a high basketball IQ and great court vision. Kass has a quick bounce which allows him to explode off the floor for easy rebounds.

Vaughn, Coleman

11

Coleman is a highly skilled offensive player who can finish around the rim in a variety of ways. He plays with good pace and knows when to speed the game up or slow the game down. Coleman has a high basketball IQ and always seems to make the right play.

Votodian, Steven

11

Steven is a crafty ball handler who sees the court very well. He is always under control and runs the team well. He has a high motor and he always competes on every possession.

Wilson, Shawn

10

Shawn is a true competitor who digs in deep on the defensive end of the court. He consistantly disrupts passing lanes and is a ball hawking defender. Offensively, he plays with great pace and runs the show well.

Winston, Jacob

12

Jacob is a great shooter, especially from behind the three point line. He is active on both ends of the court and is always doing the little things to help his team win. He does after every loose ball and every single rebound.

Woodbridge, Connor

12

Connor plays extremely hard on both ends of the court. He loves to attack the rim where he can finish with either hand. He is a versatile defender and can guard multiple positions.

Zini, Joseph

10

Joe is an excellent rebounder who uses his body well to box out. He is a tough player who competes under the basket and he never takes a play off. He does a great job of creating second chance opportunities for his team.

A lot happened over the weekend in Pittsburgh. With over 430 AAU programs migrating to the Steel City to play in the illustrious David L. Lawrence Convention Center, it was near impossible to kept track of everything that happened this weekend. We did our best though, and in case you missed it, here is a quick run down of the #PittJamFest as told by social media.

The history of the #PittJam Fest is rich in tradition

Many of the nation’s best have stopped in Pittsburgh on their road to greatness. Some of the most recent include 2015 NBA #1 Pick Karl Anthony Towns, 2016 Big East Tournament MVP Isaiah Whitehead, UNC commit Seventh Woods, and former Kentucky Wildcat and current Charlotte Hornet Aaron Harrison

The Pittsburgh Jam Fest was easily one of the best events of the Spring live periods. With its new home inside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the 2016 Pitt Jam Fest welcomed over 430 teams to this year’s tournament. Out of these teams, 11 were crowned champions within their respected brackets. Here are those winners.

One of the nation’s premier basketball companies set to host their most prolific tournament inside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Neptune, NJ | February 18th, 2016

The Hoop Group and SportsPITTSBURGH are excited to announce a partnership that will change the landscape of Grassroots Basketball. New Jersey’s premier basketball company will host its illustrious Pittsburgh Jam Fest Tournament inside the spacious David L. Lawrence Convention Center. This location allows Hoop Group to place 24 regulation basketball courts under one roof.

“The Pittsburgh Jam Fest is one of the most prominent AAU basketball tournaments in the country.” said Dave Fedor, Director of Hoop Group Team Tournaments. “For years the tournament has been scattered across the city at a number of different locations. Having one primary location with 24 courts allows us to take the tournament to a new level for players, teams, college coaches, media outlets, and most importantly, the fans.”

Hoop Group Jam Fests are known for providing high level competition and maximum exposure in the most organized tournament atmosphere; the Pittsburgh Jam Fest is the pinnacle of these tournaments. Welcoming over 300 teams and 100 college coaches last year, the Pittsburgh Jam Fest brings the most passionate basketball fans, and players, to Pittsburgh every year in April. Former Pittsburgh Jam Fest participants include NBA players Kevin Durant, Karl Anthony-Towns, Kemba Walker, Jared Sullinger, among others.

Now, these same passionate fans, coaches and players will have the same Pittsburgh Jam Fest experience, but in the best-equipped facility Pittsburgh has to offer. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center effectively blends unparalleled space, functionality, and flexibility with cutting-edge technology to offer an unforgettable event experience. All this made possible thanks to the hard work of Pittsburgh’s hospitality community.

“We are delighted to once again host the Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest and welcome to our city some of the elite high school players in the country, said Jennifer Hawkins, Executive Director of Sports Development for VisitPITTSBURGH. “This year with all of the games being played on 24 courts in the David L. Lawrence Conference Center, basketball for fans of all ages will have a hard time deciding what games to watch. This event again demonstrates how our community and businesses work together to host large events and why Pittsburgh has become a major sports destination for both professional and amateur sport events.”

The Pittsburgh Jam Fest will take place from April 22 through the 24th. It is open to AAU programs 14U-18U. Fans are welcome and encouraged to attend the highly competitive action and cheer on the stars of tomorrow.

As the sports development division of VisitPITTSBURGH, SportsPITTSBURGH’s primary goal is to attract and host a wide variety of sporting events in the region, providing the experience and expertise to reinforce Pittsburgh reputation as a legendary sports town.

The Hoop Group is the worldwide leader in basketball instruction, offering premier basketball camps since the summer of 1963. Having touched the lives of over one million young men and women, Hoop Group has evolved from simply offering summer basketball camps, to hosting tournaments and competitions, skills camps, clinics, showcases, and facilities to the basketball community. The Hoop Group’s alumni list reads as a “Who’s Who” of the basketball world, including: Moses Malone, Julius “Doctor J” Erving, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Bob Knight, Chuck Daly, Billy Donovan, John Wall, Kyrie Irving and many more.